Als looking to connect with fans from get-go
Moving camp to Big O grounds gives players chance to adjust to city’s culture
The last time the Alouettes held training camp in Montreal, Bob Price was the head coach, Jim Popp was the general manager, Tracy Ham was the quarterback and the ownership group, led by Michael Gelfand and Jim Speros, didn’t pay many of their bills at John Abbott College.
The year was 1996. The Als were returning to the Canadian Football League following a nine-year absence, and although a good portion of the roster was comprised from the defunct Baltimore Stallions, we didn’t know what to expect.
As the Als prepare for the start of this year’s camp on Sunday afternoon, the team is coming off a franchise worst 3-15 season, having lost its last 11 games. And we don’t know what to expect.
Management has decided to hold the majority of camp on the grounds of Olympic Stadium for the increased spectator and media exposure it anticipates, following stints at the Fort St-Jean campus and Bishop’s University.
The cost disparity between remaining in Montreal, or going to Lennoxville, is believed to be fairly negligible. While the price tag undoubtedly is higher in Montreal, there’s also a convenience factor at work. Injured and released players, for example, no longer will have to be transported from Bishop’s, 150 kilometres southeast of Montreal.
“A part of re-establishing ourselves in the community is to bring ourselves back, so people can get a firsthand look at what we’re trying to be and establish right away in 2018,” general manager Kavis Reed said. “It also gives us information on how the players function in Montreal right away.
“A lot of these players come from places where the culture is different. It gives them a chance to assimilate a lot faster and be able to adjust.”
The obvious concern about conducting camp in Montreal — it’s not unusual for CFL teams to go through this exercise in their home cities — is the carrot the organization will be dangling before their players. The temptation might exist for some to experience the bar scene on Crescent St., although the players will have a nightly curfew throughout the duration of camp.
The team will be using a hotel, centrally located albeit east of the downtown core, as its base for housing players new to the team. It will be at the discretion of head coach Mike Sherman whether the veterans, or those who have found a residence, will be allowed to return home at night.
All meetings and meals will be held at Olympic Stadium, and the time between the final meeting and curfew isn’t expected to be more than 60 to 90 minutes.
“We’ve taken business precautions and we’ll have added security (at the hotel), making certain we protect them from themselves and outside forces as much as we can,” Reed said.
“Regardless of where (they’re staying), they can find a way to get into trouble.
“At some point, the guys have to be trusted to make good decisions as to how they represent themselves and the team.”
It’s expected to be a vastly different looking team that opens the regular-season on June 16 in Vancouver. At least half of the defensive personnel could change, following the free-agent signings of Tommie Campbell, Joe Burnett, Mitch White, Dominique Ellis, Henoc Muamba, Jamaal Westerman and Alan-Michael Cash.
Linebacker Chip Cox could return after chatting with Reed on the phone this Saturday.
On offence, receiver Chris Williams was acquired in a trade from British Columbia, while veteran guard Ryan Bomben returns to Montreal following his recent trade from Hamilton.
Slotback Nik Lewis has retired, but might remain with the organization in a front-office role.
The looming question that remains, as it has virtually every season since the retirement of Anthony Calvillo, is who will play quarterback?
Other than that minor point — please contain your laughter — Reed remains optimistic as he prepares for his second season trying to resurrect this once-proud franchise.
“We had issues with our (Canadian) content and depth. We knew that coming into camp last year. That’s not an indictment on anyone. We needed to address that. We feel strongly this year that we have addressed that situation.
“We needed to address the leadership structure in the lockerroom. We feel we’ve done that.”
Montreal’s first exhibition game is slated for May 31 at Ottawa. The Als will entertain Hamilton on June 9.